Which Ones?
Some of us are looking for the inimal requiresment to get into heaven without it upsetting the plans we have for our lives.
One such example is the Rich Ruler in Matthew 19.
Matthew 19:16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
"Which ones?" - now that is a funny question.
When Jesus says keep the commandments, isn't it clear to keep all of them? Yet he wanted to know what can I do minimally and still be good with God?
Of course Jesus lists the commandments he's confident to have kept.
I think we all have such a list.
But Jesus is the one who exposes the weakness in our goodness. Earlier in the chapter, the Pharisees wanted to know what was acceptable to permit divorce. In other words, what can we get away with and still be considered okay?
This is the epitome of works-righteousness. We have our idea of righteousness and we work at it.
Every person has a list they CAN do. Everyone has a checklist of commands they "feel comfortable keeping." This is why religion - man's attempt at getting to God - is a failure. For certain groups will emphasize one morality code while other groups will emphasize another. And both groups will call the other a bunch of heathens!
Consider Romans 1 and 2. The first chapter talks about gentiles with general knowledge disobeying God, while Romans 2 reveals the Jews who knew the law could not keep it.
The fact is - we cannot be righteous in any good deed we feel we must do. This is the problem with the man in Matthew 19. He wants Jesus to meet his expectations. Jesus will not. Perfection is the goal. And he's far from it on the financial spectrum.
Jesus' solution? Get rid of the precious thing you hold that defines you and follow me. Notice Jesus didn't say if you sell all, you'll get into heaven. He said sell all. and you'll have treasure in heaven. The key is to follow Jesus. Through the cross, denying your own self-sufficiency, receiving the full pardon by Grace... and realizing that Jesus is our rich young ruler who gave up all to give us treasure in heaven.
PRAYER:
Father, I trust that I have this on right. I've preached on this passage so often. I ask for clarity in the precious thing I don't let go of. Help me to see the self-righteousness of my own heart. To deny it, and fully rely on your grace alone.
One such example is the Rich Ruler in Matthew 19.
Matthew 19:16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
"Which ones?" - now that is a funny question.
When Jesus says keep the commandments, isn't it clear to keep all of them? Yet he wanted to know what can I do minimally and still be good with God?
Of course Jesus lists the commandments he's confident to have kept.
I think we all have such a list.
But Jesus is the one who exposes the weakness in our goodness. Earlier in the chapter, the Pharisees wanted to know what was acceptable to permit divorce. In other words, what can we get away with and still be considered okay?
This is the epitome of works-righteousness. We have our idea of righteousness and we work at it.
Every person has a list they CAN do. Everyone has a checklist of commands they "feel comfortable keeping." This is why religion - man's attempt at getting to God - is a failure. For certain groups will emphasize one morality code while other groups will emphasize another. And both groups will call the other a bunch of heathens!
Consider Romans 1 and 2. The first chapter talks about gentiles with general knowledge disobeying God, while Romans 2 reveals the Jews who knew the law could not keep it.
The fact is - we cannot be righteous in any good deed we feel we must do. This is the problem with the man in Matthew 19. He wants Jesus to meet his expectations. Jesus will not. Perfection is the goal. And he's far from it on the financial spectrum.
Jesus' solution? Get rid of the precious thing you hold that defines you and follow me. Notice Jesus didn't say if you sell all, you'll get into heaven. He said sell all. and you'll have treasure in heaven. The key is to follow Jesus. Through the cross, denying your own self-sufficiency, receiving the full pardon by Grace... and realizing that Jesus is our rich young ruler who gave up all to give us treasure in heaven.
PRAYER:
Father, I trust that I have this on right. I've preached on this passage so often. I ask for clarity in the precious thing I don't let go of. Help me to see the self-righteousness of my own heart. To deny it, and fully rely on your grace alone.
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